Visit the Australian Rural Women's Network website for more information...

 

The Department of Health and Human Services is providing a one-off $1,500 payment designed to financially support Victorian workers who, as of 20 June, have been instructed by the department to self-isolate or quarantine at home because they are either diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) or are a close contact of a confirmed case.

The COVID-19 worker support payment recognises that the requirement to self-isolate or quarantine at home can cause a financial burden for some individuals and families who are without incomes during this period. 

Providing financial support can help alleviate this burden, making it easier for people to comply with the direction to stay at home. 

Visit the Department of Health and Human Services website for more information...

New and extended IFAM supported flights

As part of phase 2, the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) is pleased to announce the following new and extended flights. Also, all flights are now open 72 hours prior to departure for all freight forwarders to access.

Full details of all available IFAM-supported flights can be found in the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound and IFAM Flight Schedule Inbound. 


IFAM eligibility update
In line with the Government’s announcement on 3 April 2020 of an additional $241.9 million, IFAM will continue to support airfreight capacity in and out of Australia.  
Eligibility for products supported by IFAM has shifted to being determined by a set of overarching principles rather than only specific commodities. These principles determine eligibility based on Australian-made or produced products that are: 

• High value,
• Time-sensitive,
• Reliant on airfreight, for example, due to perishability or are: 
  • products that could not be sent by an alternative to airfreight without losing their essential product characteristics or value
  • goods that have a limited shelf life or are required to meet a sudden or immediate need.

OR

• Otherwise deemed to be in the national interest.

Many of the agriculture and seafood products supported by IFAM to date will remain eligible; however, IFAM will not be limited to agriculture and seafood goods, and products meeting the above principles may be considered for IFAM support.  
Additional products now eligible under the principles framework may include medicines which have a short shelf life, are high-value and are reliant on airfreight to meet a sudden or immediate need – for example, blood products, or raw material ingredients for pharmaceuticals. 

A dearth of seasonal workers will means farmers are increasingly concerned their crops will go to waste, according to the Australia Fresh Produce Alliance's Michael Rogers. The number of backpackers, who traditional pick-fruit for farmers, has plummeted as state and federal government close borders in order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Mr Rogers said Australia is now heavily reliant on working holiday-makers to pick fruit.

Read more of this Sky News article and watch the short video...

• Government will provide a guarantee of 50 per cent to small and medium enterprise (SME) lenders for new unsecured loans to be used for working capital
• SMEs with a turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible to receive these loans
• Maximum total size of loans of $250,000 per borrower.
• The loans will be up to 3 years, with an initial 6 month repayment holiday.
• The SME will only incur interest on the amount they draw down.  If they do not draw down any funds from the facility, no interest will be charged
• You will need to contact your lender to apply

Visit the Australian Government Treasury website for more information...

Digital technology audits

An opportunity exists to participate in an on-farm digital technology audit conducted by phone by Agriculture Victoria, to understand the technology you already have available on-farm and how you can improve its efficiency. Participants will be asked to identify what type of internet connectivity they have, where they have access to WiFi and how they use technology on their farm. Participants will have time to prepare for the audit and will receive a property map and report of results.

• To register for the audit please book a time at https://bit.ly/2VbBXBK
• If you need help registering or would like more information please contact Andy Clark at Agriculture Victoria on 0436 804 656 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• For more information about drought and dry seasonal conditions support call 136 86 or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

This project is supported by the 2019–20 Drought Support Package.
Preference will be given to participants from Central and East Gippsland, the GMID and the Millewa region of North-West Victoria.

New online training for horticulture workers

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes this week announced $70,000 for SuniTAFE to develop the Horticulture Farm Worker Induction Program, as part of the $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan. The program will help upskill new workers and allow them to quickly gain an understanding of the horticulture industry. It will also help ensure that a reliable harvesting workforce is trained and ready for the 2020 season and beyond. The training will be free for the industry and jobseekers, including those registered with Working for Victoria.

The program will be rolled out over the next eight months and includes development of 12 interactive units covering topics such as industry awareness, safety, machinery use and harvesting skills. For more details or to register interest as a jobseeker or business, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agworkforceplan.